Walker Books

Author's Note

The very first scene I ever wrote in what would become The Metalwood Saga was set here, in Walker Books. It's the scene in The Death Edge where Callan and Trey discuss their lives and lack of sales. I was age 14 or 15 at the time. The moment—if not the exact writing of it—survives to this day.

Walker Books was a small, independent bookstore located in the Outer Heights neighborhood of the floating sky city of New San Francisco (Newfris). The shop was owned and operated by Trey under the fabricated surname "Walker"—a false identity and life carefully orchestrated by the mindmaster Quynn, who spent decades masquerading as Trey's cruel human father, Simon.

Geography and Environment

In a topside city dominated by towering glass and chrome skyscrapers, Walker Books stood out as a modest, one-story brick building. The exterior featured intricate patterns worked into the brickwork, a black wooden door, and flowers growing from holes near the base, which Trey tended to with a tin watering can.

Inside, the shop smelled of dust, wood, and ancient paper. It was filled with tall, rich wooden bookshelves packed with centuries-old fantasy and fiction books scavenged from Earth, and it featured a glass counter with a vintage cash register.

Behind a locked door lay the Back Room, which housed a softly lit display case. Unbeknownst to Trey, this case was used by Simon (Quynn) to safely hide one of the most powerful magical artifacts in existence: the Tree Ring Staff.

Culture

The store perpetually struggled to make a profit. Reading was a dying pastime among the topside Citizens of Newfris, leaving Trey and his towering coworker Callan with few actual customers. Despite its lack of business, Trey found deep comfort in the store, viewing it as a sanctuary where he could lose himself in stories of elves, magic, and adventure.

Key Events

Zel's Visit

When the human Remnant leader Zel is mysteriously transported from Earth to the streets of Newfris, he literally runs into Trey. Realizing Zel is lost, Trey brings him to Walker Books. Zel, accustomed to the filth and decay of the surface, marvels at the pristine condition of the ancient texts. The two share a brief bond over a quote from The Lord of the Rings about fearing cages—and a shared admiration for elves—before Zel departs.

Retrieval of the Staff

Following the ambush at the underkid meeting that results in Trey falling from the sky city, Quynn drops his "Simon" disguise. Seeking to secure his power before the Ascension begins, Quynn returns to the abandoned bookstore. He easily bypasses the security system, walks into the dark storage room, and unlocks the display case to retrieve the Tree Ring Staff.

Closure

Following the ultimate defeat of the Twins and the deactivation of magic, Trey returns to Walker Books one last time for nostalgia's sake. Mourning the loss of Callan and the fabricated life he once knew, Trey wipes down the dust before shuttering the windows and barring the door for good.

See Also

• Trey (Tarathiel)
• Quynn (Simon)
• Callan
• Tree Ring Staff
• New San Francisco